Search location by ZIP code

NEWS ARCHIVE

City officials respond to 'racist,' 'white pride,' billboard in Russellville

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 5:02 PM CDT May 1, 2015

City officials respond to 'racist,' 'white pride,' billboard in Russellville

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 5:02 PM CDT May 1, 2015

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. —

City officials in Russellville have released statements concerning a billboard that advertises "White Pride Radio."

The billboard references an online radio show out of Harrison.

Advertisement

It is off of Interstate 40 visible to westbound traffic.

Mayor Randy Horton released a statement about the billboard inferring a "racist" tone. Horton said city hall has contacted the Little Rock Office of the NAACP.

Horton said the billboard promotes a website affiliated with the Klu Klux Klan.

Read more of the mayor's statement below.

"The implication of this content, in my opinion, inaccurately depict the sentiments of the overwhelming majority of the citizens in Russellville. To my knowledge no member of the City Council has ever expressed thoughts that support this message. No employee of the City, nor any one in any civic or other group, church or circle of contacts has ever made an expression that makes me believe that they would sympathize with this idea. I just don’t believe it is in any way indicative of the beliefs of the majority of Russellville residents. We do not condone the billboard in any way, but we must respect the right to free speech.Due to First Amendment protections the City has no control or oversight of the content of private advertising. But we can condemn intolerant, divisive, racist thoughts. As the Mayor of Russellville, I hereby do so."